Radioactive materials are used primarily within science and engineering
departments but may also be found in devices such as smoke detectors,
static eliminators and moisture density gauges used in other departments.

Radioactive materials can be in the form of open sources or sealed
sources. An open source of radioactive material is normally used as
a tracer in experiments and has the potential for spillage and release
if not properly contained. A sealed source is in a form that is permanently
bonded or fixed in a capsule or matrix designed to prevent release of
the radioactive material.

Within the University, the Radiation Safety Committee
establishes policies and procedures for the use of radioactive material.
To use radioactive material, a principal investigator applies to the
Radiation Safety Committee for authorization to use the material in
accordance with University, NRC and/or NJDEP regulations. The Health
Physics Section of the Office of Environmental Health
and Safety (EHS) administers the authorization process, provides
services to the Authorized Users, and monitors compliance with federal
and state regulations.

Any individual/principal investigator planning a new use of radioactive
material must first contact a health physicist at EHS to submit an application
for authorization to possess and use radioactive material. The applicant
is interviewed and advised of the appropriate regulations and internal
procedures by a health physicist. The completed application for the
use of radioactive material is reviewed and then may be approved/authorized
by the Radiation Safety Committee.

An Authorization Number is issued for specific conditions of radioisotope
use, e.g., for a specific isotope, possession limit and type of use.
An individual who has been issued Authorization Numbers is known as
an Authorized User.

Releases of radioactive material to the environment through the sewers
and fume hoods must be monitored and reported to regulatory agencies.
EHS uses release reports provided by Authorized Users and monitoring
data to ensure compliance with effluent limits.

Radioactive Material Shipments

Incoming radioactive material packages are surveyed and inspected by
EHS prior to delivery to the laboratory.

EHS provides advice and oversight when packages of radioactive material
are shipped from the University to ensure that packages are shipped
in compliance with license conditions and Department of Transportation
regulations.

Purchase and Inventory Control

The inventory of radioactive material at the University and under each
Authorized Userís possession must be monitored and controlled to ensure
that the University does not exceed its license limit. Consequently,
Authorized Users must carefully track all use of radioactive material.
In addition, detailed procedures for purchasing radioactive material
require that EHS approve all radioisotope purchase orders.

Security

The Universityís radioisotope security policy generally requires that
all radioactive stock materials and sealed sources be stored in a secured
container or secured storage area when not in use. A stock material
is defined to be radioactive material as provided by the vendor and
does not include material withdrawn by a researcher for experimental
use.

Radiation Surveys

Limiting radiation exposure depends on minimizing radiation levels
and controlling contamination. In any area in which radioactive material
is stored or used, users must perform frequent and thorough contamination
surveys as they work; the Authorized User must ensure that the laboratory
is surveyed at set frequencies; and EHS must perform surveys to verify
compliance and to ensure that radiation exposure is kept as low as readily
achievable.

Radioactive Waste

All radioactive waste must be disposed of through the Universityís
radioactive waste disposal program, which is overseen by EHS. There
are several radioactive waste disposal streams; packaging and disposal
procedures and the ultimate route of disposal depend on the radioisotope,
its activity and its chemical and physical form. The purpose of the
radioactive waste disposal program is to minimize waste volumes, to
ensure proper and adequate departmental storage before disposal, and
to ensure proper disposal.

Billing Costs

EHS, as the billing contact, distributes costs to appropriate departments
for radioactive waste disposal and radiation dosimeter badges. Authorized
Users may also be required to procure radiation safety equipment such
as portable radiation survey meters or pay for improvements to a fume
hoodís flow rate, etc.

Training

All persons who work in a laboratory in which open sources of radioactive material are used, regardless of whether those persons will use radioactive materials or not, must receive initial
training by the Health Physics staff and must attend refresher
training provided by the Health Physics staff annually. Training
is also provided to University support staff who may enter areas where
radioactive material is used.

Laboratory supervisors provide appropriate supplemental training in
addition to the mandatory training described above. All radiation workers
must satisfy the additional training requirements established by their department
and Authorized User.